'Evil spirits' scam hits Melbourne again

SCAMMERS who've duped Asian Australians out of more than $1 million in cash and jewellery by telling them evil spirits are after them may have struck again in Melbourne, police say.

The latest victim of a superstition-based scam is a 66-year-old woman who was talked into handing over $30,000 to three women at the Preston market.
The victim was told she had spirits haunting her and she would die in three days' time if she didn't hand over money.
Convinced, she withdrew a total $30,000 from three separate ATMs then collected all her jewellery from home, and handed the trio the loot.
The alleged scam occurred on March 21, but was only reported to police on Wednesday.
In March police appealed for public help to track down three Asian women they suspect have been working around Melbourne and similarly scamming other Asian residents since August.
They said the thieves are estimated to have drawn more than $1 million in cash and belongings across the country.
Victims are either unwittingly robbed while distracted by the bad spirits story, or are persuaded to hand over their valuables to be rid of the spiritual danger.
Police are investigating connections between the latest reported incident and others in Melbourne's CBD and eastern suburbs.